A fantastical night of prayer, with Lake Shikaribetsu’s legend and parent and child white snakes dancing
White Snake Princess Festival
The 2026 edition of White Snake Princess Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/07/04Ended
- Season / frequency
- July first Saturday / Every year
- Location
- Lakeside of Lake Shikaribetsu
- Area
- Hokkaido・Shikaoi Town(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 30 min–2 h · flight time only)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Features
- Highlights and activities
- Wishes behind the festival
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Last updated
- 2026/10/23
At the White Snake Princess Festival, inspired by the legend of the White Snake Princess passed down at Lake Shikaribetsu, a parent and child white snake and the princess dance. It is a traditional performing art of Shikaoi Town, where the lakeside nature and Ainu culture resonate together.
About White Snake Princess Festival
The White Snake Princess Festival is a traditional performing arts festival in Shikaoi Town centered on the White Snake Princess Dance, inspired by “The Tale of the White Snake Princess,” passed down at Lake Shikaribetsu.
The parent and child snakes and the White Snake Princess bring the tale to life through dance, presented on a special lakeside stage illuminated with lights.
Before the dance, Kamuy-nomi, traditional Ainu dances, and mukkuri performances are also held, making for a night when the natural beauty of Lake Shikaribetsu and local culture come together.
Festival highlights
A highlight is the parent snake, 13 m long, and the 8 m child snake, manipulated by 14 performers.
The performers express strength and grace as they twist and turn the white snake’s head and body.
The White Snake Princess, in a beautiful costume, dances as if leading the snakes, while the illuminated stage and lakeside at night create an enchanting scene.
The program also features Kamuy-nomi, mukkuri performances, and Ainu traditional dance alongside the White Snake Princess Dance.
A fantastical night of prayer, with Lake Shikaribetsu’s legend and parent and child white snakes dancing
What to expect
According to the 2026 information, piano performances and a live stage were followed by “Children’s White Snake,” performed by local children, Kamuy-nomi, the White Snake Princess Dance, and mukkuri performances and Ainu traditional dance. A commemorative photo was scheduled at the end.
In the White Snake Princess Dance, 8 performers make up the parent snake and 6 the child snake, 14 in total. Using poles, they move the snakes’ heads and bodies up, down, and from side to side.
The White Snake Princess dances across the stage as if leading the snakes.
How to take part
Visitors can watch the event.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Lakeside of Lake Shikaribetsu / Lakeside of Lake Shikaribetsu, Kita-Urimaku, Shikaoi, Kato District, Hokkaido
- Train and bus
About 100 minutes by bus from JR Obihiro Station; get off at Shikaribetsu Kohan Onsen, then walk about 1 minute / Free shuttle buses run from within Shikaoi Town to the venue at Lake Shikaribetsu
- By car
About 60 minutes from Tokachi-Shimizu IC on the Doto Expressway
- Parking
100 spaces, free
Source: 白蛇姫（はくじゃひめ）まつり｜北海道観光｜ぐうたび北海道
Address Lakeside of Lake Shikaribetsu, Kita-Urimaku, Shikaoi, Kato District, Hokkaido
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)
2026年は7月4日（土）17:30～21:15に開催されました。
17:30からピアノ演奏、18:00からMy's演奏、19:00からこども白蛇、19:20からカムイノミ、19:45から白蛇姫舞、20:20からムックリ演奏・アイヌ民族舞踊、20:50から記念撮影が予定されました。
The information stated that the event would be canceled in severe weather.
Source: 十勝観光・鹿追町観光情報『鹿追町観光協会』 お知らせ
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Hokkaido / Shikaoi Town (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
According to the 2026 information, the event would be canceled in severe weather.
Free shuttle buses to the venue are listed.
Nearby attractions
Nearby attractions by Lake Shikaribetsu include Lake Shikaribetsu, Shikaribetsu Kohan Onsen, Shikaribetsu Lake Kotan, the Shikaribetsu Lake Kotan ice open-air bath, the Lake Shikaribetsu lakebed railway track, and Higashione Lake.
Tourist attractions related to the mountains and lakes are listed together, giving you options for exploring the natural surroundings near the White Snake Princess Festival venue.
Origins and History of White Snake Princess Festival
The White Snake Princess Dance began in 1972 as a community revitalization project by the Youth Division of the Shikaoi Town Chamber of Commerce, inspired by “The Tale of the White Snake Princess,” passed down at Lake Shikaribetsu.
The first performance took place at the 1st Lake Shikaribetsu White Snake Princess Festival in the same year, June 3. Initially, the first white snake was made from wire and white curtain fabric.
In 1973, a full-scale parent snake was created, and the White Snake Princess Dance Preservation Association was established that same year.
In 1976, the child snake was added, establishing the current basic form featuring the princess and two white snakes.
Official information
鹿追町観光協会 www.shikaoi.net
White Snake Princess Festival at a Glance
The White Snake Princess Festival is a traditional performing arts festival centered on the White Snake Princess Dance, inspired by a legend of Lake Shikaribetsu, and featuring Kamuy-nomi, mukkuri performances, Ainu traditional dance, and more.
The dance of the White Snake Princess, alongside the parent and child snakes manipulated by 14 performers, is presented on a lakeside stage illuminated with lights.
The festival brings together a dance praying for an abundant harvest, local culture, and the natural beauty of Lake Shikaribetsu in a single night.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/23
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